(Radio Iowa) – There’s an Education Committee in the Iowa House, but the House Speaker says a comprehensive review of the state’s colleges and universities is long overdue — and he’s establishing a Higher Education Committee to do it.
Republican Representative Taylor Collins of Mediapolis, the chairman of the new committee, says Iowa has a workforce shortage, but some colleges and universities have been distracted by ideological agendas. Collins led the effort to force the recent closure of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices at the three state-supported universities. Collins say there’s been great progress on that front, but the panel may push to eliminate some courses or majors.
Collins, who has earned degrees from Iowa State and Drake, says the focus will not just be on the three public universities in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City, but on Iowa’s community colleges AND the state’s private colleges and universities as well.
